MHERST - The key to the
University of Massachusetts men's
basketball team's offense last year wasn't
exactly a big secret. Monty Mack was
getting the ball and taking a whole bunch
of shots, scoring about 20 points per
game.

He averaged 29 percent of both the
team's points (19.9) and shots attempted
(16.6). With 1,617 points, he enters the
2000-01 campaign as the second
leading active career scorer in Division I.

Stop him last season, and you went a
long way toward stopping UMass.

The Minuteman offense is designed to
give the wings - shooting guards and small forwards - a lot of shooting
opportunities. This season, more help in the middle should take some of the
pressure off the perimeter players.

Willie Jenkins looks for options against Statmaster.com.

"If you're a two-guard in our system, you're very happy," UMass coach
Bruiser Flint said. "You're going to get a lot of looks."

For the past three years, Mike Babul and his 3.5 points per game have
occupied one of those wings, leaving Mack a lot of shots and a lot of
responsibility.

"We had Mike Babul for three years. I love the kid, but you didn't have to
guard him," Flint said. "With the people that you have, you at least have to
guard them."

"I always call Winston my safe guy. You can always put him in and he's not
going to kill you. Some nights he brings a lot of energy to the table," Flint said.
"I want to get that energy to be a little bit more consistent. I'd imagine he's
going to start early on. I don't want to put that much pressure on the young
guys. It's better for them to watch and learn a little bit."

"Yeah, you are. You better believe that. I've been working on my game
before practice every day," he said. "My jump shot is improving a lot. I feel
more comfortable when the ball is swinging to me."

Jenkins and Pugh will spend time at both wing spots during the year, but so far
Jenkins is further along in his development.

Bruiser: Jameel Pugh needs to work on more than just his dunking.

"Willie's done a good job picking it up
and understanding what the intensity is all
about. Jameel hasn't," Flint said. "There's
been some growing pains for him. Willie
came in in great shape, Jameel didn't. It's
been a learning process for Jameel. He's
been getting through it, but he's been
struggling. He's never really played at
this level, when you have to come out
every minute at this level."

No matter who is on the perimeter this
year, he likely won't see as much tight
defense as last year's wing players did.
The addition of scoring help inside will
force some teams to double-down,
freeing the outside shooters for clearer
looks at the hoop.

Mack doesn't mind giving up some of the shots.

"It takes a lot of pressure off me. Being confident in other people to score is
great. In past years, if other people didn't score, I put a lot of pressure on
myself," he said. "I don't think I have to do that this year."

The Minutemen begin their regular season at 7 p.m. Saturday against Iona at
the Mullins Center.